One of our favourite places to visit in the region is Sete, a wonderful little town criss crossed by canals and with a fishing port right in the middle.

But this 'little' town packs a punch.

Jazz Festivals, water jousting events since 1666 and a seafood experience to melt any gourmets heart.

And in amongst all these things they still have time to give us some wonderful Art and Culture.

One such special place is Dock Sud.

 Start with the logo, it is an art form in itself. Is it a moustache of a Salvador Dali ilk? Yes.

Is it the coastline between France, Spain and Italy? Yes

Is it a play on words on the Dock in Sete and or the Languedoc? Yes

Or is it a joyous game being perpetuated by it's enigmatic and charming owner,  the photographer Martin Bez?

Located right on the quayside the Gallery was opened in 2006 and offers 260m2 of exhibition space.

The Gallery is both bright and inviting and upon entry you realise that this gallery is not only for the art but also as an artistic celebration of Sete as a whole.

The Gallery begun life by focusing on contemporary art with a strong leaning on southern and local artists.

Included in these exhibitions were Gilles Marie Dupuy, Rouzard, Srthou, Stephane Gauntlet and Martin Bez.

This is not however a gallery that stays still and as recent as last year Gietl Karl, from South Africa exhibited as have artists from as far away as Poland and China.

One of the highlights of this gallery is the permanent exhibition of works by Lucien Puyuelo, a painter from Sete. Dock Sud has exclusive rights of representation of his work which totals over 3500 pieces.

There is also, as in some other galleries we have visited in France and Italy, the 'Passageway'.

This is an area within the main gallery but set off to one side where weekly 'mini exhibitions' are held. The idea of this is to allow both established and new artists to show new pieces or to get exposure that might otherwise be difficult to obtain.

In tandem with these weekly exhibitions, every Tuesday from 1830hrs you are invited to visit the gallery and partake of a glass of wine.

Jean Pierre Le Bail

Info: HERE